Improvement in lumber driers



2 Sheets Sheef E. J. SUMNER.

fimprovement in Lumber Briers.

N@.125,0f98, PatentedMarch26,1872.

Scum. 0% Yuk 2 Sheets--Sheet 2;

E" J. SUMNERQ fimpmvement in Lumber Driers.

N@ 125,U@8, PatentedMarch26,1872.

U I ED EL JwSUMNER, or CHICAGO, ILLIN'oIs.

IMPROVEMENT IN LUMBER DR IERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,098, dated March 26, 1872.

I, ELI J. SUMNER, of Chicago, Cook county, and State of Illinois, have invented certain lm 'u'ovements in Kilns for Drying Lumber, of which the following is a specification:

Nyinvention relates to that class of drying-kilns in which steam is used for the purpose of producing heat. The nature of the invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the devices hereinafter described.

Figure No. l is a side elevation of the kiln. Fig. No. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. No. 3 is a rear elevation; Fig. No. 4, a vertical and longitudinal section; Fig. No. 5, a plan of the floor and track; Fig. No. 6, a ground plan, showing the heating apparatus.

The drawing is on the scale of one-eighth of an inch to the foot.

This kiln is an oblong building, of the shape represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Running through it horizontally is a floor, represented by K of Fig. 4. This floor divides the heating-chamber from the drying-room, the dryin g-room beingabove and the heating-chamber below. Upon this floor rests a track, represen ted by m. The heating apparatus, which is in the chamber below the floor K, consists of a series of tubes conveying steam; at is the entry, through which the steam is conveyed to b; from b the steam enters the series of small tubes represented by c of Figs. 4 and 6, and through them finally reaches the tube 61 of Figs. 4 and 5, from which it escapes into the air-draught f at e. These air-draughts consist of hollow rectangular prisms, represented by f of Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The steam escaping from the pipes d, and rising through these, produces a very considerable draught. The air which is to do the drying is let into the kiln at the register h, and, impinging upon the pipes c, is heated. This current of air first entering the kiln at h necessarily first reaches the cooler part of the pipe next to cl,- as it passes along on and around the pipes c it will come to warmer and warmer parts, until it is sufficiently heated, when it passes upward through an opening at 'i, in the floor, and

into the drying -room above, and passing through the drying-room to the air-draughts e and f, it is partly received into them at g, and at the same time passes partly out through the air-draughtf, and is discharged into the outer atmosphere, carrying with it all of the vapor collected from the drying material. The

air-draughtj communicates with the kiln by the difference of temperature of the pipes and,

the air is constantly maintained.

In the drying-room is the track m, which is a little inclined, the highest part being nearest the air-draughts f. This track is to be continued outside of the kiln both ways, and upon it are to be placed convenient cars, upon which the article to be dried is to be placed. To prevent the air from passing over, the curtains a are hung from the ceiling of the drying-room to the top of the pile on the cars. Now, if the kiln be tilled in this way, the cur rent of air, moving as described, will pass from 11 through the open spaces of the mate rial, and pass out through f and j. As this air has been heated, as before described, it will evaporate and carry away with it all moist ure it'meets on its way and if the current be continued long enough, dry fully any articles, such as lumber and the like, which may be in the kiln. The heat may be supplied either from an exhaust or live steam, under pressure.

The contents of the car next to i will be first dried, and by opening the door Z may be easily rolled out of the kiln. This door is then closed, and the whole train so moved that the next ca-rwill come up to The door lis then opened, and a car, which has been loaded on the track outside, rolled in. This Q IQEh door is now closed, and the drying process g, and the air-dreughts f and f, all being arwill continue as before. ranged and used substantially as set forth.

In this way the contents of the kiln may be In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand from time to time removed Without impeding this 4th day of January, 1872.

the drying process. ELI J. SUMNER.

I claim as my invention- Attest: The floor K, in combination with the regis- GEO. H. ZIEYGLER,

ter h, the tubes 0, the opening 6, the opening GEORGE REIGER. 

